North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries announced Monday that those interested in leasing public coastal waters to cultivate shellfish may submit applications now through Aug. 1.
The division, which manages the state’s Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program, accepts bottom lease and water column applications annually March 1-Aug. 1. Site investigations are conducted April 1-Oct. 1, to align with submerged aquatic vegetation growing seasons.
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Applicants must include in their application a comprehensive storm preparation and gear management plan, detailed in Section 5 of the application and Appendix VII. This plan is mandatory.
Application materials and program details are available at deq.nc.gov/shellfish-lease.
The division encourages applicants not to wait until the deadline to apply. Applications that are incomplete, submitted incorrectly or that propose ineligible lease sites will be denied. Applications denied after Aug. 1 cannot be resubmitted until 2027. All application fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
The division’s interactive Shellfish Aquaculture Tool, which is updated weekly, allows the public and applicants to track the status of active, pending and terminated shellfish leases.
“Shellfish aquaculture supports North Carolina’s working waterfronts and contributes important economic and environmental benefits to coastal communities,” the division said.
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The division said in the release that it provides guidance and technical support to help applicants meet state requirements and plan effective, sustainable operations.
For more information, contact the Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program at 252-515-5600.
